Our version of the LOOP has us boating summers and exploring the rest of America as CLODS (cruisers living on dirt) the remaining months. Of course that means hauling our boat out of the water and preparing her to be left for months as well as all the work involved in getting her ready to get us back on the water in the spring. We arrived in Cape Charles the last weekend in April and splashed that Monday. A week at the dock preparing for the season left us exhausted.

I'm thinking there has to be an easier way. People sign up for a variety of options for hands on learning. They take courses to master power boat handling or to learn to sail. But thats the fun stuff. There are diesel courses and safety courses too. Seminars and workshops! But none of these really allow you to get dirty! So, we think next year we will offer a no expense paid training session to folks thinking of trying the Looper lifestyle. They would get hands on experience of what it is like to own a cruising boat. They would literally pay a fee to do all the work required for us to enjoy cruising.

The program would include engine maintenance (changing oil, hoses, clamps etc), and cleaning the bilge. How many get a chance to clear calcification out of the head hoses before they actually own a boat? This is invaluable training. We would mentor them on polishing stainless steel, sanding/recoating teak and washing/ polishing fiberglass. We can certainly be gentle and encouraging supervisors. Of course we would include provisioning and give them the opportunity to prepare all of our meals in the small galley.

Maybe we could also offer a deluxe course where they learn how to mix up a variety of boat drinks and serve them on a rolling deck. Oh my, the possibilities are endless. I think the program would fill up fast so you may want to think about getting on the list early for next spring.